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Press Release

FORT MYERS, FL - Florida Gulf Coast University's commitment to environmentaleducation forged ahead today when Watermark Communities Inc. (WCI) PresidentJerry Starkey delivered a $350,000 check to FGCU President William C.Merwin, helping the University complete its fundraising campaign for theGreen Building project.To be named the WCI Green Building Demonstration and LearningCenter, the facility will foster environmentally sustainable and healthybuilding, housing and landscape practices in Southwest Florida throughdemonstration projects and educational outreach programs."We are delighted that WCI is partnering with the University on thisimportant project that emphasizes environmental sustainability," saidPresident Merwin. "FGCU offers a strong academic curriculum and degreeprogram in environmental studies, and our students will benefit from theinstructional attributes of this demonstration project that illustrates theappropriate balance between responsible development and environmentalconservation."The Green Building project was instituted in the spring of 1998 by agroup of individuals associated with the building industry who saw the needto help people make better decisions about building and landscaping toimprove quality of life opportunities for present and future generations.They approached FGCU to partner in this endeavor. As a result, the WCI GreenBuilding Demonstration and Learning Center is the first demonstrationproject and teaching facility with a focus on environmentally sustainablebuilding practices and environmentally friendly landscaping.Southwest Florida has a natural infrastructure, a subtropicalnatural environment that provides "quality of life services" such as cleanair, clean water, water storage, sites for ecotourism, fisheries andbiodiversity. The concern is that current building and landscaping practicesare placing unsustainable pressures on the natural infrastructure andreducing quality of life. Current building practices are using up limitedresources at great ecological and economic costs. "Green" building andlandscaping techniques appropriate to Southwest Florida's unique climate andenvironment can conserve energy, water, materials, time and naturalecosystems while promoting safety, health and accessibility.The WCI Green Building Demonstration and Learning Center will be thecatalyst for environmentally sustainable demonstration projects and outreachprograms designed for building and landscape professionals andconservationists. The building itself will be an example of:* Environmentally sustainable building practices* Use of resource efficient materials* Healthy house design* Environmentally friendly landscaping* Water conservation systems* Solar energy applications* Energy efficiency* Non-toxic building materials* Design for handicapped and elderly* Hurricane protection features* Recycling systems* Safe house features* Low maintenance cost* Long term durability* Ease of use

The educational outreach program will strive to:* Reach a broad range of individuals and groups in thecommunity* Partner with others that have already developed similarprograms* Identify gaps in the educational process* Develop marketing strategies to insure for maximumparticipants* Use a mix of delivery modes for delivery of green buildinginformation to the community

Florida Gulf Coast University is currently offering courses such asa Colloquium, required of all students, Issues in Ecology and theEnvironment, Environmental Technology, and Conservation Strategies forSustainable Future to address environmental sustainability issues. FGCUcontinuing education programs in partnerships with professionalarchitecture, building, interior design and landscape design associationscan be provided. The FGCU Small Business Innovation Center offers advice andinformation to new entrepreneurial "green building" businesses.Today's event marked the culmination of three years of work byUniversity officials and groups associated with the home building industryto bring the plans to life. The $500,000 raised from the community by theFGCU Foundation, Inc. is matched dollar for dollar by the State legislature.The design phase for the building will begin December 2001. The buildingwill be located near the main entrance to the University.Contact Dr. John Fitch, FGCU College of Arts and Sciences Professor,and Environmental and Green Building Project Director, at (941) 590-7170, orRoy Bonnell Jr., FGCU Green Building Project Manager, at (941) 263-6819 formore information.As an accredited comprehensive public university, FGCU addresses thehigher educational needs of Southwest Florida and provides alearning-centered environment that offers high quality educationalopportunities for the general public.